The newly completed Lo Wu Correctional Institution has commenced operation with 135 female inmates transferred from Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution today.

Situated at 163 Ho Sheung Heung Road, Sheung Shui, the medium-security east and west wings of the institution each have 400 penal places. The minimum-security main wing has 600 places.

The Correctional Services Department Senior Superintendent (Penal Operations) Dr Kwan Ming-tak said the Chi Ma Wan institution will close later this month when all 480 inmates have transferred to Lo Wu. Chi Ma Wan and Chi Sun Correctional Institution, which closed last month, will be redeveloped.

About 620 female inmates will also be transferred to Lo Wu from Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institution later this month. Renovation work will then start at Lai Chi Kok to convert it into an annex of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre.

Works on the $1.5 billion Lo Wu Correctional Institution redevelopment project started in April 2007. It now  provides a multimedia education centre, vocational training workshops, parent-child centres, recreational facilities, multi-purpose classrooms and counselling rooms.